Puerto Colon: Dolphin and Whale Watching Speedboat Tour

A small speedboat gives you a more personal way to look for marine life off Tenerife: you are in a group of no more than 11, with room to ask questions and a captain who can explain what you are seeing. Dolphins, whales and turtles are possible sightings, not a fixed itinerary.

I like two things in particular: the small group, which keeps the outing sociable without feeling crowded, and the captain’s reported care around wildlife, including allowing animals to approach rather than chasing them. The trade-off is the open Atlantic: weather can affect both sightings and the swim stop, and this is a boat ride, not a guaranteed animal encounter.

What to know before you book

• Barco Azul license: The boat has an official government license to approach dolphins and whales.
• A group capped at 11: Shared trips stay small, and you can also book a private group.
• Wildlife, then a swim: The route looks for whales and dolphins, with turtles possible, before a weather-dependent stop near Palm-Mar or La Caletta.
• Captain-guide Nico: Nico is named as captain and guide on many outings, and is praised for explaining marine life and respecting the animals.
• Snorkel gear, snacks and a drink included: Bring your own swimwear, towel and sunscreen.
• Two to three hours, about $53 per person: The total outing is listed as two to three hours; pickup and drop-off are not included.

Leaving Puerto Colón for the open water

The outing starts at Puerto Colón, in Costa Adeje on Tenerife’s southern coast. You board a speedboat with a captain-guide and head out into the Atlantic to look for marine life. The listed duration is two to three hours, while the description allows about two hours for the ocean cruise before the swimming or snorkeling stop. Treat the shorter figure as a guide, not a promise of an exact return time.

A compact boat changes the feel of the trip. With a maximum of 11 people, you are not trying to see over rows of heads, and the group is small enough for a conversation with the captain. That matters when you want to ask what kind of whale you are looking at or understand why the boat is changing direction.

The ride is part of the appeal. This is a speedboat, so you should expect a more lively trip than a large, slow sightseeing vessel. One useful expectation to set: speed is not the whole point. The boat may travel briskly between areas, but when marine life is nearby, respectful viewing takes priority over chasing it or racing toward an animal.

The small-group format is especially useful for families and anyone who prefers a more personal outing. The trip has suited a broad age range, from children to older adults, though the information does not give a minimum age. If you are prone to seasickness, one person who went on the tour chose to take motion-sickness tablets beforehand. That is an individual precaution, not a requirement stated for the trip.

Looking for whales, dolphins and turtles

The first main task is to watch the water. Dolphins and whales are the principal targets, while turtles may also appear. People on these trips have seen pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead turtles and, on one rare occasion, orcas. Other notable sightings have included a whale calf, flying fish and a sunfish. These are examples of what has appeared, not a checklist the captain can guarantee.

Pilot whales are among the animals that have been spotted repeatedly. A close encounter can be brief or last long enough to watch a group moving alongside the boat. The captain’s role is more than steering: Nico, frequently named as guide, has been praised for sharing information and for giving the animals space. That approach is worth looking for in any wildlife tour. A close view is exciting, but it should not come at the expense of the animals.

The boat carries a government-issued Barco Azul license for dolphin and whale watching. This identifies it as an officially licensed vessel for this activity. It does not mean wildlife will appear on schedule, and it is not a promise that every trip will have the same sightings. Conditions and animal movements vary. On a day with choppy water, one outing saw fewer animals, but still had a short encounter with a pilot whale and calf and a brief turtle sighting.

That variability is part of the honest bargain. A captain can search, share knowledge and make thoughtful choices, but cannot summon a whale. If you book mainly for one particular species, keep your expectations flexible. If you are curious about the sea and happy to watch for whatever appears, the trip has more ways to feel worthwhile.

The small boat can also make it easier to follow a sighting than a large vessel, while the captain can keep the group close enough to see without crowding the animals. One person valued being able to reach different areas quickly and arrive before other boats. Still, the captain’s judgment and the conditions matter more than raw speed. Do not expect the boat to race right up to every animal.

Snorkeling near Palm-Mar or La Caletta

After the wildlife search, the captain heads toward a place to swim or snorkel. The stop is near Palm-Mar or La Caletta, depending on the weather. That flexibility is practical: the captain can choose between the two areas rather than treating one fixed stop as mandatory.

You can use the included snorkeling gear, or simply swim if that suits you better. The stop adds a change of pace after watching the water from the boat, and gives you a chance to cool off before returning to the harbor. It is described as a short swimming opportunity, so do not book expecting a long snorkeling session or a guided underwater tour.

Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but your own basics are not. A snack and a drink are included, with the refreshment especially welcome after time in the sun and sea. The exact snack and drink are not specified, so if you have dietary needs, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the onboard option will suit you.

The swim stop depends on the weather, and the location can change. That means the wildlife portion and the water break are both shaped by conditions. If swimming is your main reason for booking, remember that this is first a wildlife cruise with a chance to swim, not a dedicated snorkeling excursion.

What the captain adds to the trip

The captain-guide is central to the experience. Nico is the guide most often named in the trip details, and is described as friendly, informative and careful around marine life. He has been credited with explaining the animals, answering questions and making the outing feel personal. The boat’s small size helps that style of guiding: there is room to talk, rather than simply listening to a loudspeaker from a distant seat.

The wildlife ethic deserves special attention. The captain has been described as letting animals come closer rather than chasing them, and as picking up plastic seen in the water. Those choices make the outing feel more thoughtful than a simple race to collect sightings. They also remind you that wildlife watching is a privilege, not a performance staged for the boat.

The captain’s experience can help you make sense of what you see. A whale’s appearance may be brief, and identifying an animal or noticing a calf can turn a fleeting glimpse into a more meaningful moment. But even a skilled guide cannot control the sea or guarantee a particular encounter. The best mindset is to enjoy the search as well as the sightings.

Communication before departure also matters because the meeting point may vary depending on the option booked. The tour does not include pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the relevant meeting point. Check the details attached to your selected option before setting off.

Is $53 good value for a small boat?

At about $53 per person, the price covers the speedboat cruise, captain-guide, snorkeling gear, a drink and a snack. You are paying for a small-group outing with a maximum of 11 people, rather than simply buying a seat on a large boat. If you value conversation with the captain, a more intimate view of the water and time to swim, that package makes sense.

The value depends partly on what you hope to see. Sightings have been remarkably varied, from pilot whales and dolphins to turtles and, rarely, orcas. But no responsible wildlife tour can promise a particular animal on a particular day. Weather can also change the route or reduce sightings. Think of the fare as paying for the boat, guide, time on the water and chance to encounter wildlife, not as a ticket to a guaranteed whale show.

The price does not include transport to or from the harbor, and private or shared booking depends on the option you select. If you want the boat to yourselves, check the private-group option and its price before reserving; the stated $53 is a per-person starting figure, not enough information to calculate a private charter total.

The outing runs two to three hours, which makes it a manageable half-day activity rather than a full-day commitment. That is useful if you want to combine it with other plans in Costa Adeje. Leave some flexibility around the return, though, since the total duration is given as a range and sea conditions can shape the trip.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would consider this tour if you want a close-up wildlife outing in a small group and like the idea of combining animal watching with a swim. It is a good fit for curious adults, couples, families and anyone who prefers a captain-led trip over a crowded boat. Children have enjoyed the outing, and one family found it suitable for ages 7 to 70, but that does not establish an official age policy.

It may be less suitable if you need wheelchair access, since the activity is marked as not suitable for wheelchair users. It may also disappoint if your priority is a long, structured snorkeling session or a guaranteed sighting of a specific species. This trip is built around searching the sea, and the animals decide whether to appear.

The shared group has a firm maximum of 11, while a private group is available. If you are choosing between the two, consider whether you want a lower per-person cost and the chance to meet others, or a boat reserved for your own party. The operator’s information does not specify private-group capacity or price, so confirm those details when selecting an option.

Booking details worth checking

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is offered. Check the start times for your chosen date, because availability varies.

Before you leave, confirm the meeting point for your selected option. Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen, and remember that pickup and drop-off are not part of the package. If the forecast is unsettled, stay in touch with the operator about conditions; the route and swimming stop can change with the weather.

Should you book it?

Book this if a small boat, a careful captain and the chance to see whales, dolphins or turtles sound better than a large-vessel outing. The included snorkel gear, swim stop, snack and drink add useful value to a two-to-three-hour trip, and Nico’s name is closely associated with an informative, respectful guiding style.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed sighting, wheelchair access or an extended snorkeling session. For everyone else, go with flexible expectations: the wildlife is never on a timetable, but the small-group format and thoughtful approach make this a strong choice for seeing Tenerife from the water.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The activity lasts two to three hours. The ocean cruise is described as about two hours, followed by a swimming or snorkeling stop.

Where does the tour leave from?

It departs from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, in the south of Tenerife. The exact meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Which animals might I see?

The trip looks for dolphins and whales, and turtles may also be seen. Past sightings have included pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins and loggerhead turtles, but no particular sighting is guaranteed.

How many people can join a shared trip?

The maximum group size is 11 people.

Is a private tour available?

Yes. A private group is available as an option. Check the selected option for its price and details.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and the tour makes a stop for swimming or snorkeling, depending on conditions.

Are food and drinks included?

A snack and a drink are included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included, and you need to check the meeting point for your booking option.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.